(PLANKINTON, SD)
Exterior rendering of new Aurora County Community Health Center & Dental Clinic
The official groundbreaking and construction progress for Horizon Health Care’s Aurora County Community Health Center and Dental Clinic remodel and expansion has been delayed.
Horizon was the recipient of a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to assist in financing the project and is working closely with HRSA to complete the required federal environmental and historic preservation review compliance process prior to moving forward. This requirement was discovered following the groundbreaking event held in early November before construction was scheduled to begin.
As of the end of December, Horizon successfully completed the compliance process and has received clearance to move forward. However, due to the now-winter conditions and material delivery delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Horizon regretfully announces that the official groundbreaking and construction process will be delayed until Spring 2022.
“I cannot begin to describe how disappointed we are that this much-needed expansion and renovation has had to be delayed,” said Wade Erickson, chief executive officer. “We know this is a much-needed addition for our clinic and the community and we want to assure everyone that we are still committed to moving forward with our plans.”
While the project timeline may be delayed, the “Growth is on the Horizon” naming campaign is continuing to move forward and gain momentum in the community. This campaign provides options for those who wish to invest in the future of health care for the Plankinton community. Donors may make a gift in honor or memory of a loved one. Naming rights will be etched on a glass name plate to be attached to the proper room of donor choice. There are multiple opportunities to name rooms, labs, waiting areas and more. There are also options for donors to help underwrite the cost of much needed medical and dental equipment. Individuals who would like to learn more about the naming campaign can call Tracy Pardy, Horizon Health Foundation executive director, at (605) 772-4553 or visit the Foundation webpage at www.horizonhealthfoundation.com. All donations of $100 or more will be included in the “Growth is on the Horizon” campaign donor wall, which will be installed in the newly renovated waiting room of the clinic.
“It is unfortunate that this surfaced as we were about to begin, but I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience thus far,” said Erickson. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Plankinton community and look forward to getting this project started in the spring.”
With the new timeline, completion of the entire project is now expected for early 2023.
For over 40 years, Horizon Health Care has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 110,000 patient visits annually in 32 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Alcester, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Elk Point, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River, Woonsocket, and Yankton. For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.